CCTV catches Sevenoaks shoplifters

Published: Tuesday, 14th June 2022

Work by the Council’s CCTV team has led to the arrest of shoplifters suspected of stealing goods worth more than £10,000.

On Sunday afternoon (12 June 2022), CCTV operators became suspicious of a group of people who entered Boots in Sevenoaks High Street. They were wearing large coats and jumpers on one of the hottest days of the year.

When the group left the shop, the CCTV operators spotted items hidden under their clothing.

The CCTV team relayed live images of the suspects through to Kent Police HQ along with their descriptions and direction of travel.

CCTV monitored the group until the Police arrived shortly afterwards.

The Police stopped three teenagers who had travelled to Sevenoaks from Walthamstow, London. A large quantity of suspected stolen items was seized with an estimated value of around £10,260.

A 15-year-old boy and two girls, aged 14 and 17, were arrested. They were all charged with theft and are bailed to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court on 18 July.

Cllr Margot McArthur, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Cleaner & Greener, says:

“Our CCTV system works day in and day out to help protect local residents and businesses. I hope this latest example will be a deterrent to anyone thinking of coming to our District to commit crime."